A look at the eyes of 24 horses and applying advanced genomic sequencing technology have revealed which fungi are most common in healthy eyes and how those microscopic populations differ in pastured horses compared to stalled horses <Link>.
The research team determined that the most common fungi in their study horses’ eyes were:
- Leptosphaerulina, 22.7 percent
- unclassified Pleosporaceae, 17.3 percent
- Cladosporium2 percent
- Alternaria8 percent
Researchers had not previously identified the first two, even though sequencing revealed them to have the highest relative abundance.
Source: The Horse, August 31, 2021. Link. Horses have relatively large eyes that are prominently positioned in their head, and this anatomy combined with their outdoor living environments and exaggerated flight response makes them particularly susceptible to ocular trauma,” said Erin M. Scott, BSc, VMD, Dipl. ACVO.
We find that horses, more so than other animals, develop corneal ulcers that become secondarily infected with opportunistic fungi. Any signs of ocular discomfort, such as squinting, rubbing, increased tearing, redness or cloudiness to the eyes, should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.”
INSIGHTS: The sequencing showed pastured horses had a much greater variety of fungal species on their eyes, and these microorganisms were richer and more abundant than in stalled horses. This might put pastured horses at greater risk of eye disease after an injury, said Scott.